Fuel supplying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fuel supplying apparatus comprises a single fuel feeding port including a pumping means, a motor for driving the pumping means, a flowmeter and an indicator; and a plurality of fuel supplying parts which are fed the fuel through the flowmeter from the fuel feeding part. The fuel supplying apparatus further comprises an interlocking device actuating to stop the motor for driving the pumping means, when one fuel supplying part is operated to start the fuel supplying while other fuel supplying part is supplying the fuel, thereby to interrupt the fuel supplying and prevent the fuel supplying to be performed simultaneously at two or more fuel supplying parts.

United States Patent Irie et 51 Sept. 19, 1972 1 FUEL SUPPLYINGAPPARATUS [72] Inventors: Yoshlhiko lrie; Shunro Yamawaki;

Yukio Ogawa, all of Tokyo, Japan [731 Assignees: Tokico Ltd.,Kawasaki-City, Kanagawa-ken; Tokico Yuki Ltd., Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed:June 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 149,202

[52] US. Cl. ..222/32, 222/52, 222/74,

222/483 [51] Int. Cl. ..B67d 5/26 [58] Field of Search ZZZ/483,32, 42,74, 75, 52;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,816,901 8/1931 Grise..222l74 1,931,427 10/1933 Bond ..'.222/74 Romanowski ..222/32 X Tatsuno..222/74 X Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-EdwinD. Grant Attorney-Holman & Stern 57 ABSTRACT A fuel supplying apparatuscomprises a single fuel feeding port including a pumping means, a motorfor driving the pumping means, a flowmeter and an indicator; andaplurality of fuel supplying parts which are fed the fuel through theflowmeter from the fuel feeding'part. The fuel supplying apparatusfurther comprises an interlocking device actuating to stop the motor fordriving the pumping means, when one fuel supplying part is operated tostart the fuel supplying while other fuel supplying part is supplyingthe fuel, thereby to interrupt the fuel supplying'and prevent the fuelsupplying to be performed simultaneously at two or more fuel supplyingparts.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED EP 19 sum 1 OF 5 4. m? W m. S W VPATENTEDSEP 19 I972 SHEEI 0F 5 QB. NR. 7 Nb Q. g m? $4 Q Vb nu. R 7 AW mQE FUEL SUPPLYING APPARATUS This invention relates to a fuel supplyingapparatus and more particularly to a fuel supplying apparatus having aninterlocking device to prevent the plural fuel supplying parts fromsimultaneously delivering the fuel fed from a single fuel feeding partincluding a pumping means, a flowmeter and an indicator.

Generally, in a fuel supplying station provided with standard type fuelsupply standing posts or socalled gasoline pumps (hereinafter they arereferred to as fuel supply standing post or standing post) each housingpumping means, motor, flowmeter and indicator and located islands in afuel supplying service area, it is desired to lead the vehicles to besupplied with fuel in a range of radius that a fuel supply hose canreach the vehicles from the fuel supply standing post. Usually the aboverange of fuel supply has been narrow. Therefore, it was inconvenient tolead the vehicles into the area without troubles or to expect a smoothand rapid operation of fuel supply.

In order to increase the range in which the fuel supply can be effectedon vehicles stopped at positions as preferred, it may be proposed toincrease only the number of the fuel supply standing posts. The increaseof the number of standing posts however results a high cost for the fuelsupplying apparatus and a difficulty for the vehicles to enter or recedefrom the station site since the standing post houses a number of devicessuch as pumping means, flowmeter and indicator and is usually large insize.

When lifts or washing equipments are newly set up for the increasing ofthe number of kinds of services. in the station, there is producedanother difficulty that the previously located standing posts areconsequently positioned very close to the ends of the service area orthe structure thereby lowering the efficiency of fuel supplyingoperation. Therefore, in this case the increase of range of fuel supplymust be sought for raising the efficiency of fuel supply.

In the fuel supplying station which employs the standing posts asdescribed above, there are disadvantages that the standing posts oftenobstract the vehicles to enter or recede from the service area and limitthe range of stationning of the vehicles. There is also disadvantagethat the efficiency of utilization of service area is low. A fuelsupplying apparatus is now widely used which is of the system that aceiling, beams and like structures are provided over the service areaand several fuel delivery units are fixedly attached to thesestructures. The delivery unit substantially comprises a hose reel and afuel supply hose having a nozzle at its end and wound on the hose reel.The fuel supply nozzle and hose can be lowered downwards from the hosereel when the fuel supplying operation is performed.

In the fuel supplying apparatus of the type as above described, however,the range of fuel supply is rather limited in the service area. It is atmaximum equivalent to the bottom area of an imaginary cone shape made bythe fuel delivery hose having a length equal to an oblique side of thecone. The vehicle which stopped out of the range of fuel supply cannotreceive the fuel supply as the fuel supply is mainly confined to thatnarrow area.

Under these circumstances, the apparatus of the present inventionintends to increase the range of fuel supply without need of high costfor the overall fuel supplying apparatus. According to the invention,there is provided a single fuel feeding part which comprises the pumpingmeans, motor, flowmeter and indicator and a plurality of fuel supplyingparts which are connected through pipes to the single fuel feeding part.The fuel supplying parts each of which has a fuel supply hose and anozzle are provided apart at intervals from each other. Therefore, thefuel supply can be effected in much wider range several times the rangeof fuel supply made by a single fuel supply part. Therefore, vehicleswhich stopped out of the range of a fuel supply of one fuel supply partcan be supplied with the fuel from other fuel supply part.

The apparatus of the invention can be utilized at low cost inreconstruction of the conventional fuel supplying station which uses aknown standard type standing post which houses the pumping means, motor,flowmeter and indicator and has also one fuel supply part comprising afuel supply hose and nozzle. Reconstructing the conventional fuelsupplying station to the apparatus of the invention can be made veryeasily by providing conduit pipes branched off from the outlet of theflowmeter in the standing post with fuel feeding part and fuel supplypart connected to the branched conduit pipes and located in positionspaced from the standing post.

In case plurality of fuel supply part are fed the fuel from a singlefuel feeding part, it occurs that, while one fuel supply part isperforming its fuel supply, other fuel supplying operation is started inother fuel supply part. At that time, the measured volume of fuel in twofuel supply part is integrally indicated on one indicator. There isoccurred such a'trouble that only the measured volume of either one fuelsupply part is not indicated.

In accordance with the invention, the apparatus is provided with aninterlocking device which can stop the fuel supply of all fuel supplyparts when other fuel supply part is erroneously operated to supply thefuel while one fuel supply part is supplying the fuel.

It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a noveland useful fuel supplying apparatus which can provide a much largerrange of fuel supply with a relatively simple construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fuel supplying apparatuswhich comprises a single fuel feeding part housing the pumping means,motor, flowmeter and indicator, and a plurality of fuel supply partsconnected to the single fuel feeding part and located apart from eachother. This fuel supplying apparatus has larger fuel supply range. Byonly providing other fuel supply parts, the fuel supplying apparatuswhich has used the conventional standard type standing post having afuel feeding part and a fuel supply part can be easily reconstructed tothe fuel supplying apparatus according to the invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fuel supplyingapparatus having an interlocking device which can stop the fuel supplyof all fuel supply parts when a plurality of fuel supply parts connectedto one fuel feeding part are simultaneously operated to supply the fuel.For instance, when one fuel supply part is supplying the fuel and otherfuel supply part is erroneously operated to start the fuel supply, allfuel supply parts stop their operations. Consequently, it is avoided toproduce a trouble that the fuel supplies are simultaneously performed bya plurality of fuel supply parts and the measured volume of fuel supplyof either one fuel supply part is now known on the indicator operated bya single flowmeter.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fuel supplyingapparatus which is provided with means for resetting the flowmeter tozero position in relation to operations of any of the plural fuel supplyparts.

These and other objects and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the description with referenceto the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a first embodiment of a fuelsupplying apparatus according to this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively diagrams of an embodiment of an electriccircuit of an interlockin device in the fuel supplying apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a zero-resetting meansfor the interlocking device;

FIG.'5 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a second embodiment of thefuel supplying apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a third embodiment of thefuel supplying apparatus according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively circuit diagrams of an embodiment of anelectric circuit used in the fuel supplying apparatus shown in FIG. 6;and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively circuit diagrams of an embodiment of anelectric circuit of an interlocking device in the fuel supplyingapparatus having three fuel supply parts.

Now, referring to FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the fuel supplyingapparatus according to the invention will be illustrated. A fuelreservoir 11 provided under the ground surface stores gasoline or otherfuel. A standard type standing post 12 socalled as the gasoline pump isfixedly provided on the ground surface. The standing post 12 houses apump 13 for feeding the fuel, a flowmeter 15 and an indicator 16. Thepump 13 is driven by a motor 14 which is opened or closed its powersource circuit and controlled of its revolution by operation as laterdescribed. The indicator 16 indicates an integrated result of the volumeof the fuel the flowmeter 15. There may be provided another indicatorseparately from the'indicator 16 at a location so as to be readilyobservable by a driver and an operator. This indicator may be providedto synchronize with the indicator 16 to display the integrated result ofmeasured volume.

The pump 13 is connected with a pipe 17 having an open end in thereservoir 11. The pump 13 and the flowmeter 15 is connected through apipe 18. A pipe 19 connected to the outlet side of the flowmeter 15 iscommunicated to a flexible fuel supply hose 20 which extends to theoutside of a casing of the standing post At the outlet side of theflowmeter 15, a pipe 25 is branched off from the pipe 19. The branchedpipe 25 extends from the standing post 12 and enters into a wall 26. Apipe 28 provided on a ceiling (or beam) 27 is connected to the pipe 25.

There is provided a delivery unit 29 at a suitable position on the lowersurface of the ceiling 27. In the delivery unit 29, there is provided ahose reel 30 wound with a flexible fuel supply hose 31. The hose reel 30is rotated by means of a rack and pinion operated by motor or pneumaticcylinder. When the fuel supplying operation is not performed, the hosereel 30 winds up the hose 31 at a height not obstructing the entrance ofvehicles. An end of the fuel supply hose 3] is connected to the pipe 28.The hose 31 has a fuel supply nozzle 32, at the forward end. The nozzles21 and 32 have respectively nozzle valves and further have nondripvalves which open only when they are supplied hydraulic pressure higherthan the predetermined value. A cam 33 is provided to rotate with therotation of the hose reel 30. A switch 34 is opened or closed by the cam33. In the state before start of fuel supply, a projection of the cam 33is not contacted with the switch 34 whereby the switch is opened.

When a vehicle stopps out of range of fuel supply of the standing post12 in the area that the fuel supply hose 20 of the standing post 12 canextend, the hose reel 30 is rotated to lower the fuel supply hose 31 andnozzle 32. Fuel supply is thus effected through the nozzle 32.Therefore, the range of fuel supply of the whole apparatus is the rangesuch that either one of the nozzles 21 or 32 can supply the fuel. Thenthe range available for fuel supply is greatly enlarged as compared withthe case when fuel supply is made only by use of the nozzle 21.

This conventional fuel supplying apparatus using the standing post 12can be readily reconstructed and rebuilt with small reconstructionexpense into the fuel supplying apparatus of the above describedconstruction merely by arranging the pipe 25 branched from the pipe 19and by increase of structures such as wall 26 and ceiling 27 as well asthe second fuel supply part including the nozzle 32, fuel supply hose 31and delivery unit 29.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show electric circuits for an interlocking device used inthe apparatus of the above described construction. In the figures, relayexciting coils R1, R2 and R3 are respectively connected in parallel topower source. The exciting coil R1 actuates normally opened relaycontact Rl-IA normally closed relay contact Rl-lB (the contacts R1-1Aand Rl-IB are referred to as Rl-1 as a whole). The exciting coil R2connected in series to the switch 23 actuates normally opened relaycontact R2-1 and further actuates normally opened relay contact R2-2Aand normally closed relay contact R2-2B (the contacts R2-2A and R2-2Bare referred to as R2-2 as a whole). The exciting coil R3 connected inseries to the switch 34 actuates normally opened relay contact R3-1 andfurther actuates normally opened relay contact R3-2A and normally closedrelay contact R3-2B (the contacts R3-2A and R3-2B are referred to asR3-2 as a whole).

The contact R2-1 and contact R3-1 are connected in parallel to eachother and in series with the exciting coil R1. The contacts R2-2 and thecontacts R3-2 are so connected mutually in series that the contact R2-2Aand contact R3-2B are connected and the contact R2-2B and contact R32Aare connected.

A zero-resetting motor 36 is provided in the zeroresetting means 24 andconnected through a switch 38 and the contacts Rl-l to the power source.A zeroresetting cam 37 has a circular land 37a and a recess 37b Acontact member 39 contacting with the outer periphery of the cam 37 isfixed at a movable contact 38c which is switched between contacts 38aand 38b of the switch 38.

In series with the contacts R2-2 and R3-2, an exciting coil 41 isconnected to the power source. A magnet switch 40 actuated by anexciting coil 41 is inserted in the power source circuit of the pumpdriving motor 4. A switch 42 connected in series with the switch 40 isfixed at the above contact member 39 and adapted to operate incooperation therewith. The switch 42 is opened or closed responsive todisplacement of the contact member 39. In the state as shown, the switch42 is opened.

The operation of the apparatus of the construction as above describedwill be illustrated below.

In the state before, the fuel supply is started, the nozzle 21 is hungon the nozzle hanger 22 of the standing post 12 so that the switch 23 isopened. The fuel supply hose 31 is wound on the hose reel 30 in thedelivery unit 29. Therefore, the switch 34 is opened. Hence, theexciting coils R2 and R3 are both opened and are in non-exciting states.The contacts R2-2 and R3-2 are in the states as shown in FIG. 3. Theexciting coil 41 is opened to the power source and is in non-operatingstate. The motor 4 is opened to the power source and is in a stoppedcondition. The contact member 39 is mounted on the land 37a of the cam37. The movable contact 380 of the switch 38 is connected to the contact38a Therefore, the motor 36 is opened to the power source and is in astopped condition.

In the state as hereinabove described, it is assumed that a vehiclestopped in the range available for fuel supply from the fuel supply partincluding the delivery unit 29. Then, the hose reel 30 is rotated, thefuel supply hose 31 is unwound, and the fuel supply hose 21 and nozzle32 are lowered to a height as desired. With rotation of the hose reel30, the cam 33 is rotated. By rotation of the cam 33, the switch 34 isclosed. As the switch 34 is closed, the exciting coil R3 is closed tothe power source to actuate the contacts R3l and R32 The contacts R3-land R3-2A are then closed and the contact R3-2B is opened.

As the contact R3-1 is closed, the exciting coil R1 is supplied with acurrent to actuate the contacts Rl-l. The contacts Rl-lA is then closedand the contact Rl-lB is opened. By closing of the contact R1-1A, themotor 36 is closed through the contact Rl-lA and the switch 38 to thepower source and then starts its rotating. The cam 37 is revolved in thecounterclockwise direction in the figure by.rotation of the motor 36. Asthe motor 36 rotates, the indicating figures on the indicator 16 isreturned to zero whereby the zeroresetting is performed. When the cam 38is revolved and the contact member 39 is fitted to the recess 37b of thecam 37, the movablecontact 380 of the switch 38 is switched to thecontact 38b At the instant, the switch 42 is closed. Since the contactRl-lB connected to the contact 38b is opened, the motor 36 is opened tothe power source and stopps its rotation.

By closing of the contact R3-2A, on the other hand, the exciting coil 41is closed through contacts R2-2B and R3-2A to the power source and isactuated. The switch 40 is therefore closed and the motor 14 is closedthrough switches 42 and 40 to the power source and starts its rotation.By rotation of the motor 14, the pump 13 is driven to feed the fuel fromthe reservoir 11 to the pipes 19 and 25. Thus, the switch 42 is notclosed unless the motor 36 and cam 37 rotate and the indicator 16 isreset to zero with the contact member 39 inserted into the recess 37bTherefore, since the switch 42 is opened during the resetting action asabove described, the motor 14 does not start its action during the aboveresetting action, even if the switch 40 is instantly closed by closingof the switch 34. Thus, the fuel supplying cannot be performed duringthe zeroresetting action of the indicator 16.

Now, the nozzle valve of the nozzle 32 is opened. The fuel fed by thepump 13 through the flowmeter 15 and pipes 25 and 28 is discharged fromthe nozzle 32 and supplied into the fuel tank of a vehicle. The volumeof fuel supplied through the flowmeter 15 is integrated and indicatedsuccessively on the indicator 16.

The interlocking device is now described with respect to an operation incase, for instance, the fuel supply is intended to be simultaneouslyperformed through the hose 20 and nozzle 21 while the fuel supply isbeing carried on through the hose 31 and nozzle 32.

If the nozzle 21 is erroneously taken off from the nozzle hanger 22 ofthe standing post 12 so as to supply the fuel through the nozzle 21, theswitch 23 which has been opened is then closed. With closing of theswitch 23, the exciting coil R2 is supplied an electric current wherebythe contacts R2-1 and R2-2 are actuated to be switched over. Thus, thecontacts R2-1 and R2-2A are closed and the contact R2-2B is opened.

In spite of closing of the contact R2-1, the exciting coil R1 does notchange and maintains its operation because the contact R3-1 has alreadyclosed and the exciting coil R1 has been supplied an electric current.By exciting of the coil R3 which is supplied a current through theswitch 34 previously closed as above described, the contact R3-2Bconnected to the contact R22A has been already opened and the contactR3-2A connected to contact R2-2B has been already closed. As the contactR3-2B has been already opened though the contact R2-2A is closed asdescribed above, and as the contact R2-2B is opened though the contactR3-2A has been already closed, the exciting coil 41 is then opened tothe power source.

When the exciting coil 41 is not operated, the switch 40 is openedthereby opening the power source circuit of the motor 14. Thus, themotor 14 stops its rotation and the pump 13 is not driven.

Accordingly, if the fuel supply is performed through the hose 20 andnozzle 21 in one fuel supply part which the fuel supply is beingperformed through the hose 31 and nozzle 32 of other fuel supply part,the switch 40 for the power source circuit of motor 14 is opened to stopthe rotation of the motor 14. The pump 13 becomes not to be driven andfuel supply becomes not to be performed. Thus, by the above mentionedoperation, the interlocking action is carried out. Therefore, the fuelis not supplied to the nozzle 32 which was sup-. plying fuel so that thefuel supply is stopped. At this instant, fuel supply is not performedeven if the nozzle valve of nozzle 21 is opened.

It is also prevented to produce a trouble that the supply of the fuelfed through the single flowmeter is supplied through nozzles 32 and 21respectively of the two fuel supply part at the same time. Furthermore,as the pump 13 is stopped and the fuel supply is suspended as describedabove, the indication of the volume of the fuel supplied through thenozzle 32 remains on the indicator 16 as before. There is no possibilityto produce an inconvenience that the fuel supply is performedsimultaneously in the two fuel supply parts and the volume of fuel ofthese two fuel supply parts are integrated and displayed on theindicator 16 so that the volume of fuel in one fuel supply part becomesindefinite.

When the nozzle 21 which was erroneously taken off from the nozzlehanger 22 is again hung thereon, the switch 23 is again opened.Therefore, the exciting coil R2 is not supplied an electric current andit becomes inoperative. The contacts R2-1 and R2-2 again become to be inconditions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Since the contact R2-2A is openedand the contact R 2-2B is closed at the same time,the exciting coil 41is again actuated, the switch 40 isclosed, and the motor 41 starts itsrotation. In consequence, the pump 13 is again driven to start thefeeding of fuel and the supply of fuel from the nozzle 32 is againstarted. The indicator 16 indicates the volume of supplied fuelsuccessively continuing after the indication made when the fuel supplywas interrupted by the interlocking action as above described.

After the fuel is supplied in the desired volume through the nozzle 32,the hose reel 30 is rotated to wind up the fuel supply hose 31. Then,the cam 33 is again rotated to open the switch 34. As the switch 34 isopened, the exciting coil R3 is not supplied an electric current. Thecontacts R3-1 and R3-2 are both returned to positions as shown in FIGS.2 and 3. When the contacts R3-2 are returned to the positions shown inFIG. 3, the exciting coil 41 is opened. The switch 40 is opened and themotor 14 stops its rotation. As the contact R3-1 is opened, the excitingcoil R1 is not actuated whereby the contact R11A is opened and thecontact Rl-lB is closed. At this instant, the movable contact 38c of theswitch 38 is connected to the contact 38b so that the motor 36 is closedto the power source through the witch 38 and the contact Rl-lB and themotor 36 starts its rotation. As the cam 37 rotates by rotation of themotor 36, the contact member 39 is released from the recess 37b andagain mounts on the land 37a of the cam 37. As the movable contact 380of the switch 38 is switched over to the contact 38a, the motor 36 stopsits rotation. Then, the switch 42 is also opened. Thus all parts arereturned to positions which are in the states before fuel supplying asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and wait for next starting of the fuel supply.

In the above embodiment, the description primarily concerned with theoperation in case that the fuel supply is performed through the nozzle21 while the fuel is being supplied through the nozzle 32. Theinterlocking operation in case that the fuel supply is performed throughthe nozzle 32 while the fuel supply is being performed through thenozzle 21 is similar to the above described interlocking operation. Atthis instant, the switch 40 is opened and the rotation of the motor 14is stopped in the similar way.

The apparatus of the above described embodiment is so constructed thatthe switches 23 and 24 are respectively closed when the nozzle 21 istaken off from the nozzle hanger 22 and also when the hose reel isrotated. The invention is not confined only to this construction. It maylikewise be constructed such that the switches 23 and 34 may close incooperation with the operation after start of fuel supplying operation.For example, the switches 23 and 34 may be closed in connection with theoperation of the nozzle valve of each nozzle.

A practical structure of one embodiment of the ze roresetting mechanismin the zero-resetting device 24 is shown in FIG. 4. An arm 92 providedwith a pawl is fixed to the foremost end of the rotating shaft 90 of themotor 36 for zero-resetting. A cylinder 95 provided with a gear 93 and acam 94 at both end issupported on the shaft 90 in freely rotatablemanner. The cam 94 has a step portion to engage the pawl 91. Gears 93,96, and 97 successively mesh with each other. Gear 98 which is coaxiallyrotated with the gear 97, and gears 99 and 100 successively mesh witheach other. Therefore, the rotation of the gear 93 is transmitted to thegear through the gears 9699. A rotating shaft 101 of the gear 100 isconnected with the zero-resetting mechanism of the indicator 16. Therotating shaft 10] is provided with a handle for manual zero-resetting.A

rotating shaft 103 of the gear 96 is provided with the above describedcam 37. A switch box 104 has the contact member 39 contacting the land37a and recess 37b of the cam 37 and houses the above described switches38 and 42.

When the power source circuit of the motor 36 is closed and the motor 36starts its rotation, the pawl 91 rotates together with the rotatingshaft 90. As the pawl 91 is engaged with the cam 94, the rotation of themotor 36 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 101 through the gear 93rotating with the cam 94 and the gears 96-100, whereby the indication onthe indicator 16 is reset to zero. And, at the same time, the cam 37rotates together with the gear 96. The contact member 39 is displaced inaccordance with the rotation of the cam 37 and the switches 38 and 42 inthe switch box 104 are changed over as above described.

With reference to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the apparatus accordingto the invention is described. Through FIGS. 1 to 5, numerals denote theidentical parts and the description thereof is therefore omitted.

A standard type standing post 12 of the construction as described aboveis fixed on the ground surface. A pipe 50 is branched off from the pipe19 at the outlet of the flowmeter 15 in the standing post 12. Thebranched pipe 50 is communicated to an end of a pipe'Sl provided underthe ground surface. The pipe 51 extends under the ground to a positionproperly spaced from the standing post 12. A nozzle hanger post 52 isfixed on the ground surface in a position at an interval from thestanding post 12. A fuel supply nozzle 53 is hung on a nozzle hanger 54of the post 52 when it is not used. The nozzle 53 is provided at aforward end of a flexible hose connected to the other end of the pipe51. A switch 56 is provided within the post 52. The switch 56 is openedwhile the nozzle 53 is hung on the nozzle hanger 54 and closed while thenozzle 53 is takenoff from the hanger 54.

The nozzle hanger post 52 is provided at a location in the range out ofthe fuel supply range of the fuel supply hose 20 and nozzle 21 of thestanding post 12. When a vehicle stopps out of the fuel supply range ofthe standing post 12, it is possible to supply the fuel through the hose55 and nozzle 53 of the post 52, whereby the total fuel supply range canbe increased. Furthermore, the fuel supplying apparatus using thestanding post 12 can be easily reconstructed into a fuel supplyingapparatus of the above construction. At that time the pipe 50 isbranched from the pipe 19 and the pipe 51 and the second fuel supplypart including the nozzle 52, hose 55 and nozzle hanger post 52 arenewly provided. This is available at a low construction cost.

The electric circuit of the interlocking device in the apparatus of thisembodiment is quite same as the electric circuit of the interlockingdevice in the apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3with regard to its construction and operation, except that the switch 34of the first embodiment may be replaced with the switch 56 of thepresent embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8, a third embodiment of the invention willnow be illustrated. Through FIGS. 1 and 6 and through FIGS. 2 to 7,identical numerals denote identical parts and the detailed descriptionis therefore omitted.

A fuel supplying apparatus 60 housing the pump 13, motor 14 andflowmeter is provided at a position in the structure 61. An indicator 62is provided at a position to be readily observed on a wall 63 or ceilingof the structure 61. The indicator 62 is transmitted with flow quantitypulses sent from a flow quantity pulse emitter 65 provided with theflowmeter 15. The indicator indicates the integrated result of themeasured volume.

A pipe 66 connected to the outlet of the flowmeter 15 extends throughthe wall 63 of the structure 61 and is communicated to a pipe 67extending in a ceiling 64. The pipe 67 is communicated to pipes 70 and71 respectively of two delivery units 68 and 69 provided on the ceiling64 at proper positions spaced apart from each other. In the deliveryunits 68 and 69, flexible fuel supply hoses 72 and 73 are respectivelywound on hose reels 74 and 75. The hoses 72 and 73 are respectivelycommunicated at ends to the pipes 70 and 71 and respectively have fuelsupply nozzles 76 and 77 at the forward ends. When the fuel supply isnot performed, the hoses 72 and 73 are wound on the hose reels 74 and 75with the nozzles 76 and 77 positioned at a height not obstructing theentrance of vehicles.

Cams 78 and 79 are provided so as to rotate with the hose reels 74 and75. In the delivery units 68 and 69, switches 80 and 81 are provided toopen or close by the cams 78 and 79. The cams 78 and 79 are associatedwith switches 80 and 81 in such manner that when the hoses 72 and 73 arelowered the switches 80 and 81 are closed and when the hoses 72 and 73are wound up the switches 80 and 81 are opened.

According to the construction as above described, the fuel supply can beperformed over a very wide range covered by the fuel supply range of thefuel supply part having the hose 72 and nozzle 76 and the fuel supplyrange of another fuel supply part having the hose 73 and nozzle 77.

The interlocking device of the present embodiment is now described. Theelectric circuit of the interlocking device of the embodiment is similarto the electric circuit of the interlocking device of the secondembodiment. In comparison of the electric circuits shown in FIGS. 2 and7, it is noted that switches 80 and 81 correspond to the switches 23 and34 shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, this embodiment has not thezeroresetting means 24 employed in the first embodiment, nor the motor36, cam 37, switch 38, contacts Rl-l as shown in FIG. 2. In thisembodiment, the zero-resetting means is provided on the indicator 62having a contact R1-1' actuated by the exciting coil R1 shown in FIG. 8.The switch system of the power source circuit for driving the motor 14is quite same as the circuit shown in FIG. 3, except that the switch 42is not provided in the latter.

For example, the hose 72 and nozzle 76 constituting a fuel supply partis lowered. The switch 80 is closed, the exciting coil R2 is supplied anelectric current, and the motor 14 is rotated by the same operation asabove described. When the exciting coil R2 is supplied an electriccurrent, the contact R2-'-1 is closed, the exciting coil R1 is suppliedan electric current, and thecontact R11-1' is closed. Thus, theindication of the indicator 62 is electrically reset to zero.

During the fuel supplying operation by the above described fuel supplypart, the hose 73 and nozzle 77 forming other fuel supply part arelowered downwards for fuel supply. Then, the switch 81 is closed and theexciting coil R3 is supplied an electric current. As the exciting coilR3 is supplied an electric current during operating of the exciting coilR2, the motor 14 is opened to the power source and stops its rotation asin the first embodiment as hereinbefore described. During the fuelsupply of the fuel supply part having the hose 73 and nozzle 77, thesame interlocking action is performed when the fuel supply of the fuelsupply part having the hose 72 and nozzle 76 is intended to beperformed.

Throughout the above embodiments, the description has concerned onlywith the fuel supplying apparatus having the single fuel feeding partandtwo fuel supply parts supplied with the fuel from the above singlefuel feeding part. However, the apparatus can be constructed such thatit can have three or more fuel supply parts for the single fuel feedingpart.

An embodiment of electric circuit for the interlocking device will bedescribed for the fuel supplying apparatus having three fuel supplyparts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIGS. 2 and 9, and in FIGS. 3 and 10,identical numerals denote identical parts and the description thereof istherefore omitted. In FIG. 9, a switch of a first fuel supply part andan exciting coil R2 are connected in series, a switch 111 of a secondfuel supply part and an exciting coil R3 are connected in series, and aswitch 112 of a third fuel supply part and an exciting coil R4 areconnected in series. The above described first and third fuel supplyparts may have preferred fuel supply parts out of the supply parts ofeach embodiment. In FIG. 10, contacts R2-2 which is switched by theexciting coil R2 includes a normally opened contact R2-2A andnormally-closed contacts R22 B and R2-2C. Contacts R3-2 which isswitched by the exciting coil R3 includes a normally opened contactR3-2A and normally closed contacts R3-2B and R3-2C. Contacts R4-2 whichis switched by the exciting coil R4 includes a normally opened contactR4-2A and normally closed contacts R4-2B and R4-2C.

For example, the switch 110 is opened to supply the fuel from the firstfuel supply part. Then, the exciting coil R2 is actuated. Though thecontacts R2-2B and R2-2C are opened, the contact R2-2A is closed so thatthe exciting coil 41 is supplied an electric current through thecontacts RZ-ZA, R3-2B, and R4-2B to close the switch 40 and the motor 14is rotated. If the fuel is supplied, for example, from the second fuelsupply part, the switch 111 is closed and the exciting coil R3 isactuated. Thus, the contacts R3-2B and R3'2C are opened. Though thecontact R3-2A is closed, the contact R2-2B is opened so that theexciting coil 41 is opened and the switch 40 is opened to stop therotation of the motor 14 and whereby the interlocking action isperformed. This applies to the interlocking action as in case the fuelis suppliedfrom the third fuel supply part while the fuel supply of thedescribed first fuel supply part is performed. At this instant, theswitch 112 is closed and the contacts R4-2B and R4-2C are opened. Thoughthe contact R4-2A is closed, the contact R2-2C is opened so that theexciting coil 41 is not supplied an electric current. The rotation ofthe motor 14 is therefore stopped.

If one fuel supply part performs the fuel supply when either of thefirst to third fuel supply parts is supplying the fuel, the sameinterlocking operation is performed in such way that the motor 14 isstopped of its rotation and the fuel supply is not performed any more.

While the invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments, various modifications and variations thereof will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthe invention set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A fuel supplying apparatus comprising a fuel reservoir in which afuel is stored, a pump for feeding the fuel from said reservoir, a motorfor driving said pump, a power source for driving said motor, aflowmeter for measuring volume of the fuel fed by said pump, anindicator for indicating the measured volume of said flowmeter, aplurality of fuel supply parts including fuel supply hoses respectivelyhaving fuel supply nozzles at forward ends thereof, conduit pipesrespectively leading the fuel fed through said flowmeter to saidplurality of fuel supply parts, fuel supply part switches respectivelyprovided in said fuel supply parts and switched over to act incooperation with the starting of fuel supply of said fuel supply parts,and an interlocking circuit which is actuated in such way that it closesa power source circuit of said motor only when either one of said fuelsupply part switches is switched over and opens said power sourcecircuit when other switch is said group of contacts, wherein said groupof contacts are so constructed that said group of contacts switch overthe power source circuit of the exciting COll for the power sourceswitch so that the power source switch is opened when other fuel supplypart switch is switched over in a state that one fuel supply part switchhas already been switched.

3. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which furthercomprises a casing having said pump, motor, flowmeter and indicatorhoused therein and having one of said fuel supply hoses providedthereon, said casing being fixed on the ground surface, a structure ofceiling or beam transversely extending over a fuel supply service area,and delivery units provided on said structure and having said other fuelsupply hose movable upwards and downwards, wherein said conduit pipesconsist of a first conduit pipe leading the fuel to said one fuel supplyhose and a second conduit pipe branched from said first conduit pipe,said second conduit pipe extending along said structure and leading thefuel to said other fuel supply hose.

4. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which furthercomprises a casing having said pump, motor, flowmeter and indicatorhoused therein and having one of said fuel supply hoses providedthereon, said casing being fixed on the ground surface, and a nozzlehanger post fixed on the ground surface at a spaced position from saidcasing in the fuel service area, wherein other one of said fuel supplyhose being provided on said nozzle hanger post, said conduit pipesconsist of a first conduit pipe leading the fuel to said one fuel supplyhose and a second conduit pipe branched and extending from said firstconduit pipe, said second conduit pipe leading the fuel to said otherfuel supply hose.

5. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which furthercomprises a ceiling or beam structure transversely extending over a fuelsupply service area and delivery units provided respectively on saidstructure spaced apart and respectively provided with fuel supply hosesmovable upwards and downwards, wherein said conduit pipes extends alongsaid structure so as to lead the fuel fed passing through said flowmeterto the fuel supply hose of each delivery unit.

6. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which furthercomprises a zero-resetting motor for resetting the indication of saidindicator to zero position, a contact mechanism for closing a powersource circuit of said zero-resetting motor by switching of one of saidfuel supply part switch, a cam having a land and a recess and beingrotated by rotation of said zeroresetting motor, a contact memberdisplaced in contact with the land and recess of said cam, and achangeover switch inserted into said power source circuit of saidzero-resetting motor and switched over by displacement of said contactmember.

. 7. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 6, which furthercomprises a second power source switch inserted into said power sourcecircuit of said motor for driving said pump, said second power sourceswitch opening said power source circuit of said pump driving motorduring operation of zero-resetting by said zeroresetting motor.

1. A fuel supplying apparatus comprising a fuel reservoir in which afuel is stored, a pump for feeding the fuel from said reservoir, a motorfor driving said pump, a power source for driving said motor, aflowmeter for measuring volume of the fuel fed by said pump, anindicator for indicating the measured volume of said flowmeter, aplurality of fuel supply parts including fuel supply hoses respectivelyhaving fuel supply nozzles at forward ends thereof, conduit pipesrespectively leading the fuel fed through said flowmeter to saidplurality of fuel supply parts, fuel supply part switches respectivelyprovided in said fuel supply parts and switched over to act incooperation with the starting of fuel supply of said fuel supply parts,and an interlocking circuit which is actuated in such way that it closesa power source circuit of said motor only when either one of said fuelsupply part switches is switched over and opens said power sourcecircuit when other switch is switched over said one switch beingswitched.
 2. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid interlocking circuit comprises a power source switch opening orclosing a power source circuit of said motor, exciting coils switchingover said power source switch, a group of contacts opening or closing apower source circuit of said exciting coils, and exciting coilsrespectively connected to said fuel supply part switches and actuatingeach responsive contact out of said group of contacts, wherein saidgroup of contacts are so constructed that said group of contacts switchover the power source circuit of the exciting coil for the power sourceswitch so that the power source switch is opened when other fuel supplypart switch is switched over in a state that one fuel supply part switchhas already been switched.
 3. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined inclaim 1, which further comprises a casing having said pump, motor,flowmeter and indicator housed therein and having one of said fuelsuppLy hoses provided thereon, said casing being fixed on the groundsurface, a structure of ceiling or beam transversely extending over afuel supply service area, and delivery units provided on said structureand having said other fuel supply hose movable upwards and downwards,wherein said conduit pipes consist of a first conduit pipe leading thefuel to said one fuel supply hose and a second conduit pipe branchedfrom said first conduit pipe, said second conduit pipe extending alongsaid structure and leading the fuel to said other fuel supply hose. 4.The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which furthercomprises a casing having said pump, motor, flowmeter and indicatorhoused therein and having one of said fuel supply hoses providedthereon, said casing being fixed on the ground surface, and a nozzlehanger post fixed on the ground surface at a spaced position from saidcasing in the fuel service area, wherein other one of said fuel supplyhose being provided on said nozzle hanger post, said conduit pipesconsist of a first conduit pipe leading the fuel to said one fuel supplyhose and a second conduit pipe branched and extending from said firstconduit pipe, said second conduit pipe leading the fuel to said otherfuel supply hose.
 5. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1,which further comprises a ceiling or beam structure transverselyextending over a fuel supply service area and delivery units providedrespectively on said structure spaced apart and respectively providedwith fuel supply hoses movable upwards and downwards, wherein saidconduit pipes extends along said structure so as to lead the fuel fedpassing through said flowmeter to the fuel supply hose of each deliveryunit.
 6. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, whichfurther comprises a zero-resetting motor for resetting the indication ofsaid indicator to zero position, a contact mechanism for closing a powersource circuit of said zero-resetting motor by switching of one of saidfuel supply part switch, a cam having a land and a recess and beingrotated by rotation of said zero-resetting motor, a contact memberdisplaced in contact with the land and recess of said cam, and achangeover switch inserted into said power source circuit of saidzero-resetting motor and switched over by displacement of said contactmember.
 7. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 6, whichfurther comprises a second power source switch inserted into said powersource circuit of said motor for driving said pump, said second powersource switch opening said power source circuit of said pump drivingmotor during operation of zero-resetting by said zero-resetting motor.